Chinese Taipei’s Wu Chia-yen signed off with a five-under-par 67 to finish as the highest-placed international player in tied-13th place against a strong domestic field at the Sony JLPGA Championship on Sunday.
The 20-year-old was one of the 16 international players in the 132-women field at the Kanehide Kise Country Club in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. Ranked 212 in the world, Wu closed with a four-day total of nine-under-par 279 to finish 10 shots behind eventual champion, Rio Takeda of Japan.
Wu got off to a hot start by firing four consecutive birdies starting from the par-four fourth hole. She reached the turn in 32 and continued to pick up more shots with another birdie on 11 before dropping her only shot of the day on 15.
She then made par on 16 but got another birdie on 17 before ending her campaign with a birdie.
“I’m pleased with my score today. It was my best round out of the four days. My front-nine was great as I hit many good shots and made putts which resulted in those four birdies.
“I didn’t have as many chances in the back-nine as the green was harder to read. But overall, it has been a good week as it’s also the first time I have managed to make the cut in Okinawa,” said Wu.
Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen. Photo credit: Sony JLPGA Championship
Like Wu, Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen also posted her week’s best score of 67 after previous rounds of 68, 75 and 71 to end her week in a share of 17th place.
“It was a good round as I managed to keep the bogeys off my card today. The result could have been better if not for my second round. I would love to come back to Japan to compete again as I simply love the atmosphere and the fans here,” said Chanettee.
Takeda, meanwhile, held her nerve to fend off the spirited challenge of Miyuu Yamashita where she had to make a decisive putt on the last to avoid extending the contest into a playoff.
Having led the tournament since the first round, Takeda appeared to be cruising towards her sixth JLPGA win when she reached the turn in 33 with three birdies. However, Yamashita was already charging ahead fast and closed in to within a shot of Takeda at the last after she birdied three of her closing five holes.
2024 Sony JLPGA Championship winner Rio Takeda with Hiromi Kobayashi, Chairman of the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA). Photo credit: Sony JLPGA Championship
Takeda, who had earlier dropped two shots on 10 and 17, eventually tapped in her crucial par putt on 18 to seal her win with a final round 69.
“I was so nervous yesterday and today I also had the same feeling. After my birdie on 16, I badly wanted to get another two more on 17 and 18. However, I three-putted 17 and knew I could not afford any more mistakes on the last hole. On 18, I hit it perfectly to avoid the lake.
“My approach to the green was good and the pressure was eased when I could afford to tap in for a par. I’m so happy with this victory and hope to continue this winning form,” said Takeda.
